Who will be Crowned? Pageant Season in the AUC
It’s pageant season in the Atlanta University Center. Two of the biggest pageants at Morehouse and Spelman College will take place this upcoming weekend. Ironically, this is the most opportune way to bring in Black Women’s Week due to the highlighting of the beautiful women competing the pageants while also showing dedication, love, and prestige towards these illustrious institutions.
For Morehouse College, Miss Maroon and White along with her court are the embodiment of feminine representation of the qualities that Men of Morehouse cherish. She also possesses and utilizes the pillars of the renowned Morehouse Man. This highly anticipated pageant brings the whole student body together as we cheer on for the hardworking sisters that have been putting forth their all to win the crown.
While other pageants identify their contestants by number, Miss Maroon and White identify their contestant through the colors; Blue, Yellow, Purple, Green, and Red. I had the opportunity to converse with Kennedy Edwards, who is the yellow contestant. She is a Junior Political Science Major from Durham, North Carolina. Her platform for the pageant is titled “Live Your Truth” promoting a culture of positivity for the Morehouse Student body, accepting exceptional differences and embracing diversity.
Kennedy expressed the process of this pageant and how time consuming it can be to her daily schedule.
“My schedule has changed tremendously since we started practicing and campaigning for the pageant. However, sacrifices should be made for something in which is so important to me.”
Kennedy also highlighted what she hopes to bring to the table if she does win the pageant.
“I will bring the ability to encourage and challenge students at Morehouse College to be unapologetically to them and an additional support system.”
For Spelman College, Miss Spelman and her court serve as ambassadors for the college, in which they may be asked to represent the college to perspective students and parents as well as donors, and external constituents. Enhancing a specific manner towards the image of Spelman College, this position is looked upon as extremely significant.
Fatou Haidara, a psychology Major on a pre-Law track from Harlem, is contestant number two for this pageant. She began with, “I want to become Miss Spelman because I want to serve my esteemed institution in the same way it has served me”.
Over the past three years Spelman College has taught Fatou so much about herself as a woman. Causing her to spread the knowledge she was taught as a freshman to her Spelman sisters in the same fashion.
As far as time consumption to her everyday schedule, her response was similar to Kennedy’s.
“This pageant has required an abundance of my time, requiring me to master my time management, which could be pretty difficult at times. Balancing my studies as well as working my hardest to become your future Miss Spelman.” Fatou hopes to bring relatable persona to Spelman. She aspires to be a queen that the campus can highly relate too. However, she doesn’t want students of Spelman College to treat her as their queen first. “I’m going to always be your Spelman Sister before anything! I want to ensure that they can come to me with anything.”
The Miss Maroon and White Pageant will take place on April 20th, 2017 at Morehouse College’s King’s Chapel. The following day on April 21st, 2017 the Miss Spelman Pageant will take place on Spelman College’s campus in Sisters Chapel. It’s amazing to see these beautiful young women come together to uplift their student body and competing for something truly special for both of these institutions.
Don’t miss out on who will be crowned your 2017–2018 Miss Spelman and 2017–2018 Miss Maroon and White!
Collins McClain is a Junior Sociology Major, Journalism Minor from Milwaukee, WI. Attending Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA.
